Latest statistics show unemployment at 4.8%

'labour market has finished a record breaking year with unemployment down by over 100,000 people and the rate running at 4.8%'.

Other statistics include:

there continues to be 31.8 million people in work, up by 2.7 million since 2010.

the number of women in work is at a record high of almost 15 million

long-term unemployment has fallen to 418,000 and is the lowest it has been since 2008, down 31,000 on the quarter

youth unemployment is 587,000, a fall of 350,000 since 2010

41% of the 420,000 people now receiving Universal Credit are in work.

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Damian Green said:

'This year will be remembered as one when so many records were made - employment has consistently been running at an all-time high with more women, older workers and ethnic minority groups in work than ever before.

Encouragingly, this good news was extended right across the UK.

But there is more to do to help people of all backgrounds and abilities into work, which will remain a priority as we press ahead with our welfare reforms that are ensuring it always pays to be in work.'

Rachel Smith, CBI Principal Labour Market Adviser, said:

'We see a mixed picture from the labour market over the last three months, with employment levels remaining more or less the same and unemployment seeing a slight drop.'

'Although wage growth has gone up somewhat, so has inflation, hitting workers' pay packets in real terms. Boosting productivity in every region and nation of the UK will be essential if firms are to further raise wages sustainably for their employees.'